Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:14 PM AWST
22/07/2026 9:14 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Undertake helicopter winch operations
Undertake helicopter winch operations
Unit of competency
National Code
PUAFIR217
PUAFIR217
State Code
WG115
WG115
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
07/11/2014
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
07/11/2014
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit covers the competency required to winch in and out from a helicopter when the degree of the slope or the nature of the ground or the presence of obstacles prohibits a safe landing or a hover-exit. Aviation operations occur in a heavily regulated environment. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for winch–exit operations
- 1.1 Equipment appropriate to helicopter winch operations is selected and prepared in accordance with organisational requirements.
- 1.2 Appropriate clothing and equipment is selected and worn during winch operations in accordance with organisational requirements.
- 1.3 Pre-flight checks on clothing and equipment are undertaken in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 1.4 Damage to firefighting and safety equipment is reported to relevant supervisor for repair, replacement or disposal.
- 1.5 Pre-flight aircraft safety and winch briefings are obtained from pilot or crew person and acted upon.
2. Load winch personnel and equipment into helicopter
- 2.1 Firefighting equipment is assembled, weighed and recorded.
- 2.2 Pilot is informed of weights.
- 2.3 Equipment is loaded into helicopter and secured under supervision of pilot or flight crew.
- 2.4 Personnel are secured in seatbelts in accordance with workplace instructions.
- 2.5 Instructions are obtained from pre-mission briefing and clarification of objectives and procedures is sought.
- 2.6 Pre-flight safety briefing is obtained from pilot or flight crew.
3. Prepare to winch–exit from helicopter
- 3.1 Following clearance from pilot, instructions are received to prepare for exit.
- 3.2 Winch cable is attached and checked according to procedures.
- 3.3 Pre-descent checks are conducted in accordance with organisational requirements.
- 3.4 Seatbelt is released and then re-secured in accordance with organisational procedures and instructions received.
- 3.5 Movement towards the helicopter door and assumption of the winching position is undertaken in accordance with workplace instructions.
- 3.6 Clearance is obtained from the pilot to commence winch–exit.
- 3.7 Emergency procedures are conducted as required.
- 3.8 Emergency commands are responded to in accordance with organisational procedures.
4. Winch–exit from helicopter
- 4.1 Winch–exit operations are undertaken and conducted in accordance with work health and safety requirements.
- 4.2 Actions are undertaken to minimise uncommanded movement, spinning or swaying during descent to the ground.
- 4.3 Appropriate landing technique is selected and used in accordance with ground and safety conditions.
- 4.4 Winch equipment is detached and the all-clear signal is communicated to pilot or crew person when landing activity is complete.
- 4.5 Assembly point for individual/s and equipment is identified and reached in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 4.6 Emergency procedures are conducted as required.
- 4.7 Emergency commands are responded to in accordance with organisational procedures.
5. Winch on board helicopter
- 5.1 Individual/s and equipment are located at the nominated assembly point in preparation for winching on board.
- 5.2 Winching equipment is donned and attached to winch cable and all clear signal is communicated to the crew person in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 5.3 Actions to minimise uncommanded movement, spinning or swaying during ascent to the helicopter are undertaken in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 5.4 Movement on board the helicopter and towards the seat is undertaken in accordance with workplace instructions.
- 5.5 Seatbelts are secured until clearance is obtained to commence movement within the helicopter, in accordance with organisational safe work practices.
- 5.6 Winch cable is detached under instruction and handed to crew person.
- 5.7 Seatbelts remain secured until the helicopter has landed and clearance is obtained to commence movement within the helicopter.
6. Perform maintenance on equipment
- 6.1 Equipment is inspected and required maintenance is performed in accordance with organisational or manufacturer requirements.
- 6.2 Damage to equipment is reported to relevant supervisor for repair, replacement or disposal.
- 6.3 Maintenance or damage to equipment is documented and reported according to procedures.
The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Equipment may include:
axes
cabling systems
chain saws
communications equipment
couplings and attachments
food and drink containers
other hand tools
personal protective equipment
personal rucksacks
rake-hoes
various harness types
Authorised personnel may include:
airbase/helibase manager
crew person
pilot
Emergency procedures may include:
aborted operation
descent or landing injury
emergency retrieval
engine failure
Winch-exit operations may include:
firefighting crew
helicopter crew
individual/s
Equipment may include:
axes
cabling systems
chain saws
communications equipment
couplings and attachments
food and drink containers
other hand tools
personal protective equipment
personal rucksacks
rake-hoes
various harness types
Authorised personnel may include:
airbase/helibase manager
crew person
pilot
Emergency procedures may include:
aborted operation
descent or landing injury
emergency retrieval
engine failure
Winch-exit operations may include:
firefighting crew
helicopter crew
individual/s
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
conduct winch operations in accordance with work health and safety procedures, legislative and operational guidelines
prepare, take carriage of and stow equipment prior to, during and following exiting from the helicopter
follow instructions and procedures within the helicopter
apply correct procedures for entering, exiting, ascending and descending from the helicopter
apply appropriate communication processes with crew
apply relevant workplace procedures including codes of practice, hazard policy and procedures, briefing procedures and work instructions, procedures relating to safe use of equipment
take action promptly - report accidents and incidents within regulatory and agency requirements
complete work systematically in accordance with safe operating procedures to minimise risk of injury to self, others or damage to equipment
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in a simulated environment followed by assessment by an accredited operator on-the-job.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
winch and related equipment and material
personal protective and safety equipment
area to conduct operations
helicopter/s
briefing reports
appropriate personnel
Method of assessment
In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.
Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an agency-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:
direct observation
interviewing the candidate
journals and workplace documentation
third party reports from supervisors
written or oral questions
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
conduct winch operations in accordance with work health and safety procedures, legislative and operational guidelines
prepare, take carriage of and stow equipment prior to, during and following exiting from the helicopter
follow instructions and procedures within the helicopter
apply correct procedures for entering, exiting, ascending and descending from the helicopter
apply appropriate communication processes with crew
apply relevant workplace procedures including codes of practice, hazard policy and procedures, briefing procedures and work instructions, procedures relating to safe use of equipment
take action promptly - report accidents and incidents within regulatory and agency requirements
complete work systematically in accordance with safe operating procedures to minimise risk of injury to self, others or damage to equipment
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in a simulated environment followed by assessment by an accredited operator on-the-job.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
winch and related equipment and material
personal protective and safety equipment
area to conduct operations
helicopter/s
briefing reports
appropriate personnel
Method of assessment
In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.
Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an agency-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:
direct observation
interviewing the candidate
journals and workplace documentation
third party reports from supervisors
written or oral questions
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WG137 | PUAFIR211B | Undertake helicopter winch operations | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAY92 | PUAFIR219 | Undertake helicopter winch operations | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J522 | PUA20613 | Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations) | Qualification |
| J523 | PUA20713 | Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations) | Qualification |